Spring arc support



Sept. 1, 1953 R. P. COVER SPRING ARC SUPPORT Filed July 27, 1948INVENTOR g) Moud/Qc l/er J $306M ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 1,1953

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRING ARC SUPPORT Raymond P. Cover,Springdale, Conn.

Application July 27, 1948, Serial N 0. 40,920

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a spring are support adapted to reinforce alaminated leaf spring such as the standard semi-elliptical type wellknown in the art. Devices of this class have been known for many years,and there are a great many patents showing various constructionssuggested by prior workers in this field. So far as I know, however, notruly successful construction has ever been contributed to the art,although I have achieved a considerable degree of success with a deviceset forth in my earlier application for Patent No. 635,843 filedDecember 19, 1945, now Pat. No. 2,525,065 dated October 10, 1950.

It is the object of this invention to contribute a spring are supportthat will function effectively and with a minimum of friction toreinforce and maintain in an effectively operating position the leavesof a laminated leaf spring.

As a feature of my invention whereby the results thereof are obtained, Iutilize a spring-like bar having one end thereof applied directlyagainst substantially the shortest leaf of the spring, the other end ofthe spring-like bar being applied to the surface of the substantiallylongest leaf of the laminated leaf spring. Through this arrangement,preferably a considerable length of the spring-like bar at one endthereof is actually supported in position by the entire laminated leafspring so as to apply through the remainder of the bar a considerablepressure that is effectively utilized to bolster and support the longestleaf of the laminated leaf spring.

As a more particular feature of my invention, the spring-like bar thatis utilized as my spring are support is separated from the spring thatit reinforces except where it is applied at its ends to the leaves ofthe spring. Through this arrangement, friction is effectively eliminatedand my spring are support operates most eficiently.

As a further feature of the invention, I utilize a shim applied to theleaf spring itself for maintaining my spring are support against linearmovement relatively to the leaf spring.

As a still further feature of the invention, I utilize a novel means forsecuring one end of my spring are support to the leaf spring with aportion thereof operating against the eye of the spring for preventingmovement of the springlike bar relatively to the spring.

I have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of myinvention in order that the detailed description thereof that followsmay be better understood, and in order that my contribution to the artmay be better appre-- ciated. There are, of course, additional featuresof my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will formthe subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based mayreadily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures forcarrying out the several purposes of my invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims to be granted me shall be of sufucientbreadth to prevent the appropriation of my invention by those skilled inthe art.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation showingapproximately one-half of a conventional semi-elliptical springreinforced by the spring are support of my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 aresections taken respectively along lines 2-2 and 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4shows rivets for securing a plate to the flat spring-like barconstituting my spring are support. Fig. 5 shows a modification of themeans utilized for securing one end of my spring are support to thelongest leaf of the semi-elliptical spring. Fig. 6 is a section takenalong lines 66 of Fig. 5, Fig. '7 is a perspective view of a U-boltutilized as part of the structure of Figs. 5 and 6.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral l5indicates generally the main frame of an automobile or the like hav--ing downwardly depending ears H for supporting a bolt 12 that carriesthe eye [3 of a laminated leaf spring L, the said eye l3 being anintegral part of the upper and longest leaf [4 of the said spring. Thecentral portion of the laminated leaf spring L is secured through suitable U-bolts E5 to a part it carried by an axle ll, all as is quiteconventional in this art. It is the general purpose of my invention asalready .set forth, to apply to the spring L a spring are support forholding it arched as in Fig. 1, my device being especially useful wherethe spring has been overloaded or through age has 'lost some of itsresilience.

The spring are support of my invention comprises a spring-like bar Ithaving a substantial linearly extending surface [9 applied to theunderside of what may be the shortest leaf 28 of the several leavescomprising the spring L. For holding the portion I9 of the bar [8against leaf 2:3 I utilize a U-bolt 2| traversing at its ends a plate 22that may be welded to the underside of the bar i8 as shown at 23. Ifdesired, and as shown in Fig. 4, the plate 22 may be riveted throughrivets 2 3 to the bar l8. Regardless of the manner in which the plate 22is secured to the bar l8, the tightening of nuts on the ends of theU-bolt 2| will secure the surface 19 against the lower leaf 20 as iswell illustrated in Fig. 1.

That portion of the spring-like bar l8 constituting my spring aresupport that is to the left of the surface portion I9 is preferably sobent as to be spaced from the several leaves of the spring L except atits very extreme left end. Thus, at its extreme left end the spring arcsupport I8 has a portion 26 that is applied directly to the underside,preferably of the longest leaf M of the leaf spring L. Because of theparticular arrangement, it is the heaviest part of the spring L formedby assembly of all its leaves that-supports the spring are support l8 inposition for reinforcing at the portion 26 the longest leaf in of thespring. In other words, all the reinforcing stresses are applied throughthe spring-like bar I8 to substantially the central portion of the.

spring L where substantially all the leaf laminations are secured to oneanother.

The left end of the spring are support 18 may be secured to the leaf I4by a stabilizer 21 that is applied initially with its portions 21a asshown in dash and dotted lines in Fig. 3. Once the stabilizer is soapplied, the portions 21a will be bent over into the full line positionillustrated in Figs. 1 and 3.

For preventing endwise movement of the spring are support to the left inFig. 1, I may utilize a shim 28 formed of metal and inserted between theleaves of the spring. The ends of the shim 28 extend outwardly, as bestillustrated in Fig. 2, to obstruct movement of the U-bolt 2| and thespring are support to the left in Fig. 1.

In Figs. 5, 6, and '7, I show a U-bolt 30 that is used in the place ofstabilizer 21 and the shim 28. Thus, U-bolt 30 is adapted to have itsscrewthreaded ends 3| traverse holes 32 in a plate 33 that is welded orotherwise secured to the left end of the spring are support 18. Throughnuts 34 the U-bolt 3G is applied to the leaf M of the leaf spring L forholding the surface-26 at the left end of the spring are support againstthe underside of leaf l4 and thereby, I very effectively secure thespring arc support l8 relatively to the leaf [4. A lug 35 formedintegrallywith the U-bolt 30 extends to the left therefrom as shown inFig. 5, whereby to impinge against the eye l3 of the leaf spring L. Itis quite obvious that with this relationship of the parts, the lug 35will prevent any movement to the left of the spring are support [8.Thereby, the lug 35 will replace the shim 28 rather effectively, whilethe U-bolt 30 will function more efficiently than does the stabilizer21.

I believe that the considerable merits of my invention and mycontribution to the art will now be apparent to those skilled in theart.

I now claim:

1. A spring are support for supporting and reinforcing a laminated leafspring of the type having a series of leaves with the longest leafterminating in an eye comprising a spring-like bar having one endsection thereof formed with a substantial linearly extending surfaceapplied directly against a similarly extending surface of substantiallythe shortest leaf of the laminated spring where substantially all theleaves of said spring are assembled, clamping means at substantially thebeginning of said end section clamping said spring are support to saidlami nated leaf spring with the said surface of said end section appliedagainst said shortest leaf, the other end of the spring-like bar havinga surface applied to the longest leaf of said laminated spring andextending substantially to the eye thereof, the bar portion between saidsurfaces being spaced from said spring, and means additional to saidclamping means for preventing said bar from sliding in the direction ofthe eye of said longest leaf.

2. A spring are support for supporting and reinforcing a curvedlaminated leaf spring of the type having a series of leaves with thelongest leaf terminating in an eye comprising a springlike bar havingone end section thereof formed. with a substantial linearly extendingsurface applied directly against a similarly extending surface ofsubstantially the shortest leaf of the spring, said spring are supportcurving generally in the same direction as said longest leaf, clampingmeans at substantially the beginning of said end. section clamping saidspring arc support to said laminated leaf spring with the said surfaceof said end section applied against said shortest leaf so that saidspring-like bar is in effect a part of said laminated spring, the otherend of the spring-like bar having a surface applied to the longest leafof said laminated spring and extending adjacent to the eye thereofwhereby the stress applied to said longest leaf is transmitted to saidspring are support and in turn to said entire leaf spring at thatportion thereof where all the leaves of the leaf spring are assembled,the bar portion between its said surfaces bein spaced from theintervening leaves of said spring.

3. A spring are support for supporting and reinforcing a laminated leafspring of the type having a series of leaves graduated in length withthe longest leaf terminating in an eye comprising a spring-like barhaving one end section thereof formed with-a substantial linearlyextending surface applied directly against a similarly extending surfaceof substantially the shortest leaf of the spring, means at substantiallythe beginning of said end section clamping said spring arc support tosaid laminated leaf spring with the said surface of said end sectionapplied against said shortest leaf, a second linear section at the otherend of the spring-like bar having a substantial linearly extendingsurface applied to the longest leaf of said laminated spring andextending substantially to the eye thereof, the bar portion be tweensaid sections being spaced from said spring, means at the beginning ofsaid second section securing said bar relatively to said longest leaf,and a part integral with said means to abut the eye of the spring forpreventing said bar from sliding toward the eye of said laminatedspring.

4. A spring arc support for supporting and reinforcing a curvedlaminated leaf spring of the type having a series of leaves graduated inlength with the longest leaf terminating in an eye, comprising aspring-like bar having one end section thereof formed with a linearlyextending surface applied directly against a linearly extending surfaceof substantially the shortest leaf of the spring where substantially allthe leaves of said spring are assembled, said spring arc support curvinggenerally in the same direction as said longest leaf, clamping meansclamping said section of said spring are support directly against saidlaminated leaf spring and applied to said leaf, the other end of thespring-like bar having a surface applied to the longest leaf of saidlaminated spring and extending adjacent the eye thereof, whereby thestress applied to said longest leaf is transmitted to said spring aresupport and in turn to said entire leaf spring at the part of said leafspring where all its leaves are assembled.

5. A spring are support for supporting and reinforcing a laminated leafspring of the type having a series of leaves graduated in length withthe longest leaf terminating in an eye, comprising a spring-like barhaving one end surface applied directly against a surface ofsubstantially the shortest leaf of the spring where substantially allthe leaves of said spring are assembled, a U-bolt securing said end ofsaid spring are support to said laminated leaf spring with the said endapplied against said shortest leaf, the other end of the spring-like barhaving a surface applied to the longest leaf of said laminated springand extending substantially to the eye thereof, the bar portion betweensaid ends being spaced from said leaf spring, a second U-bolt at thesaid other end of said bar securing said bar relatively to said longestleaf, and means integral with said second U-bolt for preventing said barfrom sliding in the direction of the eye of said spring.

6. A spring are support for supporting and reinforcing a laminated leafspring of the type having a series of leaves graduated in length withthe longest leaf terminating in an eye, comprising a spring-like barhaving one end applied directly against a surface of substantially theshortest leaf of the spring where substantially all the leaves of saidspring are assembled, clamping means securing said end of said springare support to said laminated leaf spring with the said end appliedagainst said shortest leaf, the other end of the spring-like bar beingapplied to the longest leaf of said laminated spring, the bar portionbetween said ends being spaced from said spring, a clamping means at thesaid other end of said bar securing said bar relatively to said longestleaf, and means integral with said second clamping means adapted to abutthe eye of the spring for preventing said bar from sliding in thedirection of the eye of said laminated spring. RAYMOND P. COVER.

References Cited in the file Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,385,872 Hood July 26, 1921 1,538,188 Hopper a May 19, 19251,671,675 Hansen May 29, 1928 2,112,148 Drolet Mar. 22, 1938 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 216,825 Great Britain June 5, 1924 451,657Germany Mar. 21, 1928

